When you’re craving takeout-style flavor but don’t want the cost, calories, or last-minute stress, Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is the perfect solution. It solves a common problem—dry chicken and overly sweet sauces—by slow cooking everything together until the chicken is tender and the sauce is rich, glossy, and full of flavor.

I’ve made this recipe countless times for busy weeknights and meal prep days. The slow cooker does all the work, and the result is juicy chicken coated in a homemade teriyaki sauce that tastes better than anything from a box.

In this post, you’ll learn how to make slow cooker teriyaki chicken step by step, plus pro tips, easy variations, serving ideas, and FAQs so it turns out perfect every time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Tender, juicy chicken – Slow cooked to perfection
Sweet and savory flavor – Better than takeout
Hands-off cooking – Let the slow cooker do the work
Meal-prep friendly – Great for leftovers

Ingredients & Prep

This Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken uses simple ingredients you likely already have.

Main Ingredients Prep

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs – Trim excess fat
Green onions – Slice thin for garnish
Garlic – Minced fresh for best flavor

Seasonings, Sauces, or Flavor Base

Soy sauce – Low sodium works best
Brown sugar or honey – Adds classic teriyaki sweetness
Rice vinegar – Balances the sauce
Fresh ginger or ground ginger – Adds warmth and depth
Sesame oil – Nutty, authentic flavor

Pantry Staples

Cornstarch – For thickening
Water – To make slurry
Black pepper – Light seasoning
Sesame seeds (optional) – For garnish

Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Pre-Cooking Prep

Lightly grease the slow cooker with nonstick spray
Place chicken in a single layer at the bottom
Season lightly with black pepper

Cooking Method

In a bowl, whisk soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil
Pour sauce over the chicken
Cover and cook:
- Low: 5–6 hours
- High: 2½–3 hours

Doneness or Texture Check

Chicken should be fork-tender
Internal temperature should reach 165°F
Sauce should be flavorful but thin at this stage

Resting or Final Touches

Remove chicken and shred or slice
Mix cornstarch with water to make a slurry
Stir slurry into the sauce
Cover and cook on high 10–15 minutes until thickened
Return chicken to the slow cooker and coat with sauce

Pro Tips for Perfect Results

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using regular soy sauce only – Can make it too salty
Skipping thickening step – Sauce will be too thin
Overcooking on high – Can dry out chicken breasts

Recommended Tools

6-quart slow cooker
Mixing bowl and whisk
Meat thermometer
Tongs or forks

Storage & Reheating Tips

Refrigerator: Store leftovers up to 4 days
Freezer: Freeze chicken and sauce up to 2 months
Reheat: Microwave or skillet with a splash of water

Flavor Variations

Spicy Version

Add sriracha or chili garlic sauce
Sprinkle in red pepper flakes
Use spicy sesame oil

Healthy / Special Diet Option

Lower sugar: Reduce brown sugar or use honey
Low-carb: Serve over cauliflower rice
Gluten-free: Use tamari instead of soy sauce

Global Flavor Twist

Pineapple teriyaki: Add crushed pineapple
Orange teriyaki: Add orange zest and juice
Garlic-heavy: Double the garlic

Serving Suggestions

Slow cooker teriyaki chicken pairs perfectly with:

Starches

Steamed white or brown rice
Jasmine rice
Noodles

Vegetables

Steamed broccoli
Snap peas
Stir-fried carrots

Extras

Extra sauce drizzled on top
Green onions and sesame seeds

FAQs

Can I make this ahead of time?

Yes. Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is excellent for meal prep and tastes even better the next day.

How do I fix common mistakes?

Too salty: Add a splash of water or unsalted broth
Too sweet: Add rice vinegar or soy sauce
Sauce too thin: Add more cornstarch slurry

Conclusion

This Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is an easy, reliable dinner that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. It’s tender, saucy, and perfect for busy nights when you still want a homemade meal.

If you loved this recipe, you’ll also enjoy slow cooker orange chicken or a simple chicken stir-fry bowl. Save this recipe, share it with family, and enjoy stress-free dinners all week long.

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Sarah

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken is an easy, takeout-style dinner made right at home. Tender chicken slow cooks in a sweet and savory homemade teriyaki sauce until juicy and flavorful, then gets finished with a glossy, perfectly thickened sauce. This crockpot teriyaki chicken recipe is ideal for busy weeknights, meal prep, and family dinners—simple, reliable, and better than store-bought.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 10

Ingredients

Main Ingredients
2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs, trimmed
3 green onions thinly sliced (for garnish)
3 cloves garlic minced
Seasonings & Flavor Base
¾ cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
⅓ cup brown sugar or honey
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger or ½ teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon sesame oil
Pantry Staples
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons water
Black pepper to taste
Sesame seeds optional garnish

Instructions

Lightly grease a 6-quart slow cooker with nonstick spray.
Place chicken in a single layer in the bottom and season lightly with black pepper.
In a bowl, whisk together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and sesame oil.
Pour sauce evenly over the chicken.
Cover and cook:
Low: 5–6 hours
High: 2½–3 hours
Once chicken is fork-tender and reaches 165°F, remove and shred or slice.
In a small bowl, mix cornstarch and water to form a slurry.
Stir slurry into the sauce in the slow cooker.
Cover and cook on high for 10–15 minutes, until sauce thickens.
Return chicken to the slow cooker and toss to coat.
Garnish with green onions and sesame seeds before serving.

Notes

Always use low-sodium soy sauce to avoid overly salty sauce.
Chicken thighs stay extra juicy, but breasts work well if not overcooked.
Sauce thickens more as it cools, so don’t overdo the cornstarch.

Slow Cooker Teriyaki Chicken

Why You’ll Love This Recipe